Best NWO Player for Every NFL Team
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There are 32 franchises in the National Football League. Since the league’s inception in 1920, a Northwest Ohio athlete has played for each of the current 32 franchises at some point. Here is a look at the best local athlete per franchise.
(For example, Orlando Pace played every season of his career for the Rams except one. He played one season for the Bears but will not be listed for that franchise because other local athletes performed better for the Bears during their tenure with the franchise)
Arizona Cardinals - Jim Otis
Big Jim Otis played six seasons for the Cardinals, then of St. Louis. The Celina grad earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1975 at fullback, starting all fourteen games and rushing for over 1,000 yards.
Atlanta Falcons - William White
William White played the final two seasons of his eleven year career in Atlanta. The Lima Senior grad started all sixteen games of the season in both 1997 and 1988 and had 148 tackles at safety.
Baltimore Ravens - Chris Wormley
Whitmer legend Chris Wormley had played four seasons with the Balitmore Ravens. He played three seasons from 2017 to 2019 wear he appeared in thirty-nine games as a defensive end. He was then brought back in 2024 for his fourth season with the team.
Buffalo Bills - Ron McDole
Toledo DeVilbiss grad Ron McDole played for the Buffalo Bills from 1963 to 1970. During that time he made two Pro Bowls as a defensive end, he was also first team All-Pro in 1965 and was second team All-Pro two more times during his tenure in Buffalo.
Carolina Panthers - Phil Hoskins
Phil Hoskins played two seasons for Carolina in 2021 and 2022. The Whitmer grad had fourteen tackles and a sack during time with the Panthers.
Chicago Bears - Bob Snyder
Bob Snyder packed a lot into his four seasons with the Chicago Bears. Snyder played for Chicago from 1939 to 1941 and then another season in 1943. At quarterback, kicker and punter, Snyder made two Pro Bowls and won three championships with the Bears.
Cincinnati Bengals - Rufus Mayes
Rufus Mayes played nine seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals on the offensive line from 1970 to 1978. The Toledo Macomber graduate played in 110 games for the franchise, starting 98.
Cleveland Browns - Thom Darden
Thom Darden was a hard-hitting, ball-hawking safety for the Cleveland Browns from 1972 to 1981. The Sandusky graduate has the most interceptions in Browns history and was a Pro Bowler in 1978, leading the league with 10 interceptions.
Dallas Cowboys - Bob Brotzki
Sandusky St. Mary’s grad Bob Brotzki is the only Northwest Ohio athlete to play for the Dallas Cowboys. Brotzki appeared in four games for Dallas in 1988.
Denver Broncos - Rick Upchurch
Rick Upchurch was a smooth-as-silk return man for the Denver Broncos, as well as a top wide receiver. The Holland Springfield graduate spent all nine years of his career with the Broncos. He was a four time Pro Bowler and was selected first team All-Pro threes times. He was also named to both the 1970’s and 1980’s All-Decade teams.
Detroit Lions - William White
William White spent the first six seasons of his career in Detroit, from 1988 to 1993. The Lima Senior grad had 13 interceptions across 98 regular season games for the Lions, while also recording 450 tackles as a safety.
Green Bay Packers - Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson spent seven years of his Hall of Fame career in Green Bay. The Fremont Ross graduate started every game he was a part of for the Packers. He made four Pro Bowls and was selected first team All-Pro twice. He also won Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 and helped Green Bay win the Super Bowl in 2010. He also led the league in interceptions twice while in Green Bay.
Houston Texans - Nate Washington
Nate Washington started all fourteen games he appeared in four the Houston Texans in the final year of his eleven season career. The Toledo Scott grad had 47 receptions for 658 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2015.
Indianapolis Colts - Jim Parker
Jim Parker spent all eleven seasons of his NFL career playing for the Colts, then in Baltimore. The Toledo Scott graduate played from 1957 to 1967, being named to eight straight Pro Bowls and first team All-Pro teams at left tackle. Parker also won two championships and was named to the 1950’s All-Decade team.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Luke Fortner
Luke Fortner is the only player from Northwest Ohio to ever suit up for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Sylvania Northview graduate has appeared in every game from 2022 to 2024 on the offensive line for Jacksonville.
Kansas City Chiefs - Jim Lynch
Jim Lynch was a feared middle linebacker during his time with the Chiefs from 1967 to 1977. During that time the Lima Central Catholic grad was named to the Pro Bowl in 1968 and was twice selected to the second team All-Pro squad. Lynch started 142 games for the Chiefs and helped them win Super Bowl IV. Lynch is a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame.
Las Vegas Raiders - Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson spent eleven season with the Raiders, then in Oakland. Woodson had two stints with the Raiders, book-ending his time at Green Bay. While with the Raiders he started every game but two and was Defensive Rookie of the Year, as well as making five Pro Bowls.
Los Angeles Chargers - Ernie Wright
Ernie Wright played nine seasons for the Chargers, in both Los Angeles and San Diego. The Toledo Scott grad made the Pro Bowl in 1961, 1963 and 1965. He started 104 of 125 games for the Chargers, winning the AFL Championships in 1963. He was also named the the Chargers 50th anniversary team.
Los Angeles Rams - Orlando Pace
Hall of Famer Orlando Pace played for the Rams from 1997 to 2008, all in St. Louis. Regarded as possibly the best right tackle of all time, Pace made seven straight Pro Bowls from 1999 to 2005. He also was selected first team All-Pro three times, won a Super Bowl and was named to the 2000’s All-Decade team.
Miami Dolphins - Curtis Johnson
Curtis Johnson was a staple of the Miami Dolphins defense in the 1970’s at cornerback. The Toledo Waite grad played for the Dolphins from 1970 to 1978. The Toledo Waite grad won back-to-back Super Bowls with Miami, including the 1972 undefeated team.
Minnesota Vikings - Bob Schnelker
Bob Schnelker played six games for the Vikings in 1961. The Upper Sandusky graduate started at tight end and had six catches for seventy yards and a touchdown.
New England Patriots - Shawn McCarthy
Shawn McCarthy played two seasons for the Patriots in 1991 and 1992. The Fremont Ross graduate had 169 punts in his two seasons for New England. He also had the league’s long punt in 1991 with a kick of 93 yards.
New Orleans Saints - Fred Sturt
Fred Sturt played in 59 games for the Saints, starting in 40 from 1978 to 1981. The Swanton graduate played offensive guard for scrambling qaurterback Archie Manning.
New York Giants - Joe Morrison
The iron horse Joe Morrison played fourteen seasons in the NFL, all for the New York Giants from 1959 to 1972. He played running back, fullback, quarterback, wide receiver and would appear in the defensive backfield. He played in 184 games, scoring 65 touchdowns, rushing for 2,474 yards, catching 395 passes for 4,993 yards and intercepting two passes. His #40 was retired by the franchise.
New York Jets - Dave Herman
Dave Herman played 10 seasons in the NFL, all for the Jets from 1964 to 1973. The Edon graduate was the starting right guard for the Jets for eight straight years, making the Pro Bowl twice and helping the Jets win Super Bowl III.
Philadelphia Eagles - Damon Moore
Damon Moore played three season for the Eagles from 1999 to 2001. The Fostoria graduate appeared in all 54 games, starting 33, and recording five interceptions and 192 tackles as a safety.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger played all 18 years of his career in Pittsburgh. The Findlay graduate was the 2004 Rookie of the Year, made six Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowls. He started 247 of 249 career games, throwing 5,440 completions for 64,088 yards and 211 touchdowns. He led the league in passing yards in 2014 and 2018 while also leading the league in yards per game three times. Roethlisberger also holds the NFL record for most 500 yard passing games (4) and completions in a game (47).
San Francisco 49ers - Willie Harper
Willie Harper was a stout middle linebacker for the 49ers from 1973 to 1983, playing his whole NFL career in San Francisco. The Toledo Scott graduate played in 134 games, starting 100, and won Super Bowl XVI.
Seattle Seahawks - Jeremy Lincoln
Jeremy Lincoln played one season for the Seattle Seahawks in 1997. The Toledo DeVilbiss grad started three of twelve games he appeared in, recording 19 tackles and one fumbele recovery as a defensive back.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - William Howard
William Howard played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a fullback in 1988 and 1989. The Lima Senior grad started in 21 of 31 games while having 1,094 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.
Tennessee Titans - Bill Groman
Bill Groman played for the then-Houston Oilers from 1960 to 1962. He set the rookie receiving yards record that stood for over 60 years, he was also selected to the first team All-Pro squad in 1961. Groman scored 33 touchdowns during his time with the Oilers.
Washington Commanders - Jim Lachey
Jim Lachey played for Washington from 1988 to 1995 at left tackle. He was a member of the famed “Hogs” offensive line that helped Washington win Super Bowl XXVI. Lachey started 85 of 86 games while in the nation’s captial while making two Pro Bowls and being named the the first team All-Pro squad three straight years. Lachey was named one of the 70 greatest players in Washington history.